(Lava Chat)

Bulb types - any difference?

Please can anyone advise if there is any significant difference in effect between clear and opal/frosted incandescent bulbs for lava and/or glitter? Or is heat/wattage the only discriminator?

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Permalink Reply by LampHead on February 12, 2017 at 1:53am

The frosted bulbs are the correct type, they tend to run cooler than the clears. Clears can also be used for lamps that need more heat but always start with a frosted.

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Permalink Reply by andy ross on February 12, 2017 at 10:01am

Thanks for the information, the options you indicate make sense...

I'm from the other side of the pond, where we don't have many drilled bases (though I can see it's a really neat effect) so it seems frosted/opal is the better pick for standard lava - and glitter - action.

Also, over here it's getting noticeably harder to buy the "old" style bulbs - clear or frosted - the available choice is often down to incandescent reflectors (minispots) or pygmy "sign" lamps for bulbs around the 25 watt level, and these are only available in clear format. I'm wondering now if these are OK... it sounds like a case of - stock up on the old kit from Ebay I guess.

Any thoughts on these reflectors, btw? Their power is - I guess - quite high for their designated wattage....